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Sticky bonuses lock your deposit and bonus together. Non-sticky bonuses let you withdraw your deposit at any time. The difference is significant. We explain which is better for players.
Casino bonuses come in two main structures: sticky (also called "parlay") and non-sticky. The difference affects how you play, when you can withdraw, and what your real expected value is.
Most UK players don't know which type of bonus they're claiming. This guide explains the difference, why it matters, and how to spot each type.
A sticky bonus combines your deposit and bonus into a single "bonus balance." You cannot withdraw the bonus amount at any point. The bonus is "sticky" to your account until it's either wagered through (converting to withdrawable cash) or lost during play.
Example: You deposit £100 with a "100% sticky bonus up to £100." The casino adds £100 to your account, but you cannot withdraw the £100 bonus. Your total balance is £200, but only your £100 deposit is "real" money.
If you win during the bonus, you can withdraw your winnings (after meeting wagering). But the original £100 bonus is forfeited if you withdraw before completing wagering.
A non-sticky bonus keeps your deposit and bonus separate. You can withdraw your deposit at any time. The bonus is only "active" once you've started playing with the bonus funds.
Example: You deposit £100 with a "100% non-sticky bonus up to £100." The casino adds £100 in bonus funds, but your £100 deposit remains withdrawable. If you win early and want to withdraw, you can forfeit the bonus and cash out your winnings.
Non-sticky bonuses give players much more control. If you're winning, you can withdraw. If you're losing, you can play with the bonus to recover.
A worked example shows the impact.
You deposit £100 with a 100% sticky bonus (£100 bonus, 35× wagering). You have £200 to play with. You get lucky and win £500 in the first 10 minutes of play.
• Your balance: £700
• Bonus still locked (you haven't cleared wagering)
• If you withdraw now: bonus is forfeited. You can withdraw £500 (your winnings on top of the £200 balance minus the £100 bonus = £500). Wait, the math here is tricky.
Let me redo. With a sticky bonus:
• Starting balance: £200 (£100 deposit + £100 bonus)
• After 10 minutes of play (winning): £700
• The £100 bonus is still "locked" but it's part of your balance
• If you try to withdraw: the casino calculates "real money" = balance - bonus = £700 - £100 = £600
• You can withdraw £600, but you forfeit the £100 bonus
So in this scenario, you can withdraw £600 (the £500 winnings plus your original £100 deposit, less the £100 bonus forfeit).
Same deposit, same bonus structure, but non-sticky. You have £100 deposit (withdrawable) + £100 bonus (locked until wagering).
• Starting balance: £200, but you can withdraw £100 deposit at any time
• After 10 minutes of winning: balance is £700
• If you withdraw: the casino forfeits the £100 bonus, returns your £100 deposit, and you can withdraw your winnings (which is £500 minus the £100 bonus = £500... wait, that's not right either)
Let me think more carefully.
Non-sticky bonus math:
• You deposit £100
• Casino adds £100 bonus
• You have two "buckets": real money (£100) and bonus money (£100)
• Total balance displayed: £200
• After 10 minutes of play, balance shows £700
• The £700 includes £100 real money + £100 bonus + £500 winnings
• If you withdraw: bonus is forfeited. You keep £100 real + £500 winnings = £600 withdrawable
In both scenarios, the withdrawable amount is £600. The difference is in the loss scenarios.
You deposit £100, get £100 sticky bonus, lose the full £200 over an hour of play.
• Balance: £0
• Bonus forfeit: yes (you didn't complete wagering)
• Real loss: £100 (your original deposit)
You deposit £100, get £100 non-sticky bonus, lose the full £200 over an hour of play.
• Balance: £0
• Bonus forfeit: yes
• Real loss: £100 (your original deposit)
Same outcome in this case. The difference is in the win-early scenario, where non-sticky gives you more flexibility (you can withdraw at any time without penalty, even if the bonus is locked).
The bigger difference is in the "I want to walk away with what I have" scenario. With non-sticky, you can always withdraw your deposit (if you haven't played with it) or your winnings. With sticky, you're locked in until you either complete wagering or lose the bonus.
Non-sticky is unambiguously better for players. The reasons:
• More control. You can withdraw at any time, even before completing wagering.
• Less risk of bonus abuse. You're not forced to keep playing to "save" your deposit.
• Easier to walk away with winnings. If you hit a lucky streak early, you can cash out without worrying about whether you'll clear the wagering.
• Cleaner expected value calculation. With non-sticky, the bonus EV is exactly what the wagering calculation says. With sticky, the EV depends on whether the player walks away early.
UKGC-licensed casinos in 2026 are split between sticky and non-sticky. PlayOJO is non-sticky (all bonuses). Most other major UK casinos use sticky bonuses.
The terms page should specify. Look for:
• "Sticky bonus" or "parlay bonus" or "forfeitable bonus": these are all sticky.
• "Non-sticky bonus" or "non-withdrawable bonus" (with a clear explanation of how the bonus works): usually non-sticky.
• "Bonus funds are non-withdrawable but your deposit is": this is non-sticky.
If the terms are unclear, contact customer support before claiming.
If you're claiming a sticky bonus, here are strategies that improve your EV:
Low-volatility slots give you more consistent play, which increases the chance you'll clear wagering before losing the bonus.
Stick to your plan. Increasing bets to "win back losses" usually loses more.
If your balance is significantly above your starting balance, consider withdrawing. The bonus is forfeit, but your deposit and winnings are withdrawable.
If you don't have time to clear the wagering, the bonus is forfeit. Don't claim sticky bonuses casually.
The real EV of a sticky bonus depends on your play pattern:
• Player who clears wagering: EV matches the calculated value (e.g., -£40 for a £100 sticky bonus at 35× wagering).
• Player who withdraws early: EV is whatever winnings you have when you cash out.
• Player who loses the full balance: EV is the full deposit (you lost £100 deposit and the £100 bonus is forfeit).
For an average player, the EV of a sticky bonus is around -20% to -40% of the bonus amount. Non-sticky bonuses have the same EV on average but give players more control.
Sticky bonuses aren't always bad. Accept them when:
• The bonus amount is large. A 200% sticky bonus is better than a 100% non-sticky bonus, even with the lower control.
• The wagering is low. 20× wagering on a sticky bonus is better than 40× on a non-sticky bonus.
• You have time to clear the bonus. If you can clear wagering in 30 days, the bonus has the calculated EV.
• The casino is high-quality. Don't reject a sticky bonus from a great casino in favour of a non-sticky bonus from a poor casino.
Try PlayOJO: Non-sticky bonuses with zero wagering. Real cash winnings, full control over your deposit.
For non-sticky bonuses, PlayOJO. The only major UK casino with consistent non-sticky offers.
For sticky bonuses, evaluate them on their calculated EV. Use the formula: real value = bonus × (1 - house edge × wagering × contribution) - bonus × house edge.
For high-volume players, ask your account manager at major UK casinos about non-sticky VIP offers. Some VIP programmes offer non-sticky reloads as a player retention tool.
Sticky bonuses can encourage continued play even when you want to stop. If you find yourself playing through a sticky bonus you no longer want, take a break. Set deposit limits and consider GAMSTOP self-exclusion if gambling is becoming a problem.
Free confidential help is available 24/7 from GamCare (gamcare.org.uk) and the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133).